On Monday, February 2nd, the Rafah crossing into Egypt was opened to Gaza and the Palestinian population.

The crossing had been, in large part, closed to Gaza since Israeli forces took control of Gaza in May of 2024.  Over the course of the war between Israel and Hamas, the civilian population has been faced extremely strenuous circumstances.  A lack of humanitarian aid has led to an undeniable percentage of the population which have been seeking out medical attention and food for months or years.  It is certainly a breath of fresh air, to some literally and some figuratively, to have a way out of the Gaza strip.  However, the amount of Palestinians being allowed out via the crossing has remained very reduced.

An article from the BBC writes, “Israeli reports said only 50 patients – accompanied by one or two relatives – would be allowed to exit each day, and that 50 people who left Gaza during the war would be allowed to return” (Knell, Khalil, Feb. 2, 26).  Despite this, only 5 sick and wounded Palestinians, with the aide of their combined 7 companions left Gaza on the 2nd.  Across the first four days of the opening, a total of 36 patients and their 62 companions.  These are minute when compared with the 20,000 who seek medical care outside of the occupied Palestinian territory, as very little is able to be provided in Gaza.  Some Palestinian officials blamed this on stringent security checks from the Israeli military.  The opening has come about only recently because of the return of the final dead hostage to Israel on January 28.

the re-opening of the Rafah Crossing is laid out in Donald Trumps 20-point peace plan.  It states that the opening should be done in both directions following the return of all the living and dead hostages back to their respective countries.  Ran Gvili, an Israeli police officer, was the final dead hostage returned to Israel.  Due to the confusion regarding management,  the crossing was closed on Friday and Saturday, the 6th and 7th.  CBS writes, “Egypt’s Al Qahera television station said that Palestinians began crossing in both directions around noon on Sunday. Israel did not immediately confirm” (CBS, Feb. 8, 25).  However, only small amounts of medical evacuees and their relatives continue to leave Gaza.